Mearl Justus, former St. Clair County Sheriff, laid to rest

CAHOKIA, IL (KSDK) -- The local law enforcement community has lost a legend and today he has been laid to rest.

Longtime St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus who mentored many of our areas most senior officers, died Wednesday, just a week after stepping down from the job he held for three decades.

The former police chief and Sheriff resigned last week after a prolonged recovery from gall bladder surgery

Mearl Justus served eight terms as St. Clair County sheriff.

The funeral was held today, December 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church. A procession is currently taking place. The procession goes from Holy Family Church to Valhalla Cemetary, 3412 Frank scott Pkwy west, Belleville, Illinois.